Who Is Auqib Nabi? 5 Interesting Facts About The Pacer

Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has become the new name to watch in Indian domestic cricket. In the ongoing 2025 Duleep Trophy clash between North Zone and East Zone, the 28-year-old stunned everyone with his fiery bowling.

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North Zone were bowled out for 405 in their first innings, but the real story began when East Zone came to bat. Nabi ripped through their batting lineup, picking up 5 wickets for just 28 runs in 10.1 overs. Even more special, he became only the fifth Indian to claim four wickets in four consecutive deliveries in first-class cricket. This rare feat not only helped East Zone collapse for 230 runs but also pushed Nabi into the spotlight.

Who Is Auqib Nabi? 5 Interesting Facts About Pacer

1. Dream Debut with a Five-Wicket Haul

Auqib Nabi Joins Elite Club With Historic Hat-Trick In Duleep Trophy

Nabi made his first-class debut for Jammu & Kashmir in the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy against Jharkhand. While he went wicketless in the first innings, he bounced back brilliantly in the second. His figures of 5/38 helped J&K bowl Jharkhand out for just 155, sealing a victory by an innings and 27 runs. A memorable start for any fast bowler.

2. Record-Breaking Season in Ranji Trophy

In the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy, Nabi was unstoppable. Across eight matches, he picked up 44 wickets at a strike rate of 30.47. His consistency included six five-wicket hauls in the season. With this, he set a new record for J&K, becoming their highest wicket-taker in a single season. The previous record was held by Parvez Rasool with 38 wickets.

3. Dale Steyn: His Cricketing Idol

Like many aspiring fast bowlers, Nabi too found his inspiration in South African legend Dale Steyn. He admires Steyn’s raw pace, aggression, and match-winning ability. Nabi has often said that he dreams of representing India with the same fire and passion that Steyn showed for his country.

4. From Tennis-Ball Cricket in Baramulla to the Big Stage

Hailing from Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir, Nabi’s story is one of persistence. He started playing tennis-ball cricket in local matches before making his way into professional cricket. He represented his state in U-19 and U-23 tournaments, slowly climbing the ranks. His father, Ghulam Nabi Dar, a schoolteacher, stood by him through every step of his journey.

5. First Big Break with Irfan Pathan

Nabi’s List-A debut came in the 2018 Vijay Hazare Trophy when he played alongside veteran Irfan Pathan. He made an instant impact by taking three wickets in that game. Since then, he has appeared in 29 List-A matches, claiming 42 wickets with two four-wicket hauls.